They were only so many disturbances in the way of
her enjoyment of her husband and her baby; and when she could not
have the former to go out driving with her, she always came and
besought for the company of Aunt Caroline and Babie; above all, when
she had any shopping to do. She knew it was very foolish, but she
could never be happy in encountering shop people, and she wanted
strong support and protection to prevent herself from being made a
lay figure by urgent dressmakers. Her home only gave her help and
company on great occasions, for Eleanor persisted in objecting to
fine people, was determined against attracting another guardsman, and
privately desired her sister to abstain from inviting her. Essie was
aware that this was all for the sake of a certain curate at St.
Kenelm's, and left Ellie to carry out her plan of passive resistance,
becoming thus the more dependent on her aunt's family.
In she came, too graceful and courteous for strangers to detect the
shock their presence gave her, but much relieved to see them depart.
Her husband was on guard, and she had a whole list of commissions for
mamma, which would be much better executed without him. Moreover,
baby must have a new pelisse and hat for the country, and might not
she have little stockings and shoes, in case she should want to walk
before the return to London?
As little Alice was but four months old, and her father's leave was
only for three months, this did not seem a very probable contingency,
but Mother Carey was always ready for shopping.
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